How to beat the dealer

In the market place for a new automobile? Want to stay away from paying the screen price? Then get honing your haggling abilities as there are some critical savings to be produced – up to a third in some instances.

WhatCar?’s Target Cost study has revealed the biggest new automobile discount in Britain is for a BMW 7 Series, which had a whopping £18,650 knocked off the list cost.

Selecting the correct make and model

Even so, this 31% saving wasn’t bagged by haggling alone. The 7 Series in question is about to be replaced by a brand-new facelift model, and is a single of a number of BMWs where you can at the moment get a double-digit discount.

For instance, researchers have been capable to get a £10,719 discount on a £63,130 BMW 640d SE, and a £2,056 saving on a BMW 320d Effective Dynamics with a list price tag of £28,775.

And Beamers aren’t the only make on which massive savings can be made – Volvos have the most significant typical discounts (14.7%), followed by Renaults (13.6%) and then BMWs (13.2%).

The average dealer discount is presently at a 12-month higher of 8.3%.

Greatest discounts by automobile sort

Figures from WhatCar? Target Value investigation

How to haggle

You need to have to arm your self with knowledge and tactics if you are to have any chance of speaking the dealer down…

• Do your homework – after you’re clear on the variety of vehicle you’re soon after, go to on-line cost guides and auction internet sites to get a rough notion of how a lot they’re going for.


• Don’t spend the screen price – even if this falls inside your budget, attempt to speak the dealer down from the screen cost. Don’t let them know straight away the maximum you can afford, but when you do, do not budge.


• Attempt to be a cash purchaser – this does not imply you have to hand wads of cash more than to the dealer – a bank transfer will do the trick – but if you spend by credit card there’s a very good likelihood you will be charged an extra payment fee.


• Be set in your thoughts – know precisely what vehicle you’re right after and do not be persuaded into paying far more than you can afford. Even if you spend just a small over what you’d planned to get a more desirable model, this can effect you additional down the line by way of greater insurance, servicing and depreciation fees.


• Be ready to walk away – If the deal isn’t correct for you and you cannot reach a compromise, don’t be afraid to stroll away. Even if you miss out this time, you will locate the proper automobile at the right price.


• Ask for extras – if you do not really feel confident sufficient to get a cost drop, attempt to haggle some extras rather, such as a tank of petrol, stereo upgrade, alloy wheels or metallic paint.

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Have you got any ideas or tricks to beat the dealer? Let us know…

How to beat the dealer